China Follows Trump’s Lead, Asserts It Played A Role In Resolving India-Pakistan Standoff

Beijing: A statement from Beijing has sparked a new discussion. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said that Beijing played a role in reducing the increased tension between India and Pakistan in May. This claim comes at a time when India has consistently maintained that there was no need for a third party and the issue was resolved through direct talks between military officials.

Where did Wang Yi make this statement?

Wang Yi was addressing an international conference in Beijing. He described the global situation as unstable and said that after the Second World War, local conflicts and border disputes have not been seen erupting together so many times in the world. In this context, he mentioned China's alleged mediation.

What exactly did China claim?

Wang Yi said China adopted an "impartial approach" and intervened on many issues. He also named the conflict that emerged in May between India and Pakistan, along with Myanmar, Iran's nuclear issue, Palestine-Israel, and Cambodia-Thailand tensions. He claims that China did not just react but actively tried to find a solution.

How did India respond?

India has said this earlier as well as now that the four-day-long tension in May ended directly through DGMO level talks between the two countries. The Ministry of External Affairs had made it clear in May itself that the rules of ceasefire were decided during the talks that started at 15:35 in the call on May 10. There was no mention of the role of any third country in the statement. India's old stance was reiterated: there is no ground for external interference in India-Pakistan relations.

What was happening in May?

India launched Operation Sindoor after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April. Terror targets were targeted in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Later military establishments also came under target. There was retaliatory action from Pakistan, and the situation reached a confrontational stage.

Did China influence the situation from the sidelines?

Questions were raised on China's role earlier also. He is Pakistan's largest arms supplier. China had appealed for restraint on the first day of the operation but also expressed regret over the Indian attacks. Senior Indian officials later alleged that China used the conflict as a "live laboratory" and provided extensive support to Pakistan. China did not respond directly to those allegations.

Where do India-China ties stand now?

Amidst the tension and distrust, Wang Yi also talked about positive signs. He said that this year Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit held in Tianjin and there was scope for improvement in India-China relations. He claimed that a "good atmosphere" was being created between the two countries.